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Posted for NuevoLiberal, due to the 24hr rule
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I found the incident at the John Kerry event at University of Florida to be very disturbing from several perspectives.
Based on the following video clips:
1. http://www.youtube.c…
2. http://video.nbc6.ne…
3. http://www.starbanne… (youtube version)
4. http://www.youtube.c…
here are my thoughts: once the student (Andrew Meyers) was given the mic, he should have been allowed to properly finish the questions and then allowed to hear what Kerry had to say. Should he have been unruly beyond that point, then removing him from the hall may have been justified.
But as things played out, it’s my opinion that his rights were violated, notwithstanding his cutting in line, apparently, to get to ask the questions and some rudeness of the questions themselves. Tasering after he was tackled down to the floor was absolutely unnecessary. Someone ought to have asked the police officers as to what grounds Meyers was being removed from the location on, given that Meyers had essentially completed asking his questions when the officers moved-in to handle him.
The collection of clips linked above cover the fracas from a couple of a different angles; the third video gives clearer close-up coverage than others. I encourage the readers to watch all of the videos.
Today, Greg Palast (whose book Armed Madhouse was a subject of the exchange that took place) writes that the student has been released from jail:
Greg Palast: Student Tasered for Armed Madhouse Question to Kerry
Submitted by BuzzFlash on Tue, 09/18/2007 – 4:00pm
Meyers, just released from jail and now facing five years in prison for resisting arrest, held up a copy of the book and began,
Going forward, it would be a good gesture on John Kerry’s part to follow up on the matter and see if he can help the student, provided that the only charges against the student stem from the events that played out at the hall.
That, in my view, would provide an opportunity for Sen. Kerry to show his compassion and leadership (albeit delayed) in standing up for the basic rights of Andrew Meyers.
Also, upon request:
I’d also like him to answer the kid’s questions.
Thanks for reading.